16th March 2007 - TMD Friction Appoints New Chief Engineer for North America

Manny Barbosa to be responsible for the North American OEM product and market development activities

Manny Barbosa (52) has joined TMD Friction as the Chief Engineer in charge of the North American OEM product and market development activities for passenger cars (PC). In this capacity Mr. Barbosa and his staff of the Troy (Michigan) engineering organization will focus on developing new materials and building technical and commercial relationships with TMD Friction's customers from the OEM PC market.

Andrew Dilnot, Senior Vice President Engineering, of TMD Friction, comments: "I expect the Troy engineering organization headed by Manny to significantly drive TMD Friction Americas' business growth in the near future. For example they will be involved with the new TMD Friction NAO product portfolio being prepared for launch in 2007."

Prior to joining TMD Friction Mr. Barbosa has held responsibility of various engineering and engineering management projects within the automotive industry with a primary focus on brake systems development. His most recent assignment was Senior Manager, Advanced Engineering of Akebono Corporation North America.

About TMD Friction

TMD Friction Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of brake friction materials in the original equipment market of the automotive and brake industry. Its product portfolio comprises disc brake pads and drum brake linings for passenger cars and commercial vehicles together with brake pads for racing and friction materials for industry. TMD Friction also supplies the global aftermarket with its Textar, Pagid, Mintex, Don, Cobreq, and Cosid brands. With locations in Germany and five other European countries, the USA, Brazil, Mexico, China, Japan and Malaysia, TMD Friction generated a turnover of 662 million euros in 2006 and employed 4,400 people worldwide.

Source: TMD Friction Press Release